Car-coupling



J. J. WOLFE.

GAR GOUPLING.

(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 3

WI TN ESSES gmpnef. washing n. c.

Sra'rns Artnr tric-n..

CAR-couPrine.`

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 311,628, dated February 3, 1885.

Application filed October 7, 18S-l. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN J. VOLFE, a citizen of the United States, residing at NVest Millville, in the county of Clarion and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a -new and useful Improvement in CarACouplings, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to car-couplings; and it has for its object to provide a device of this character to automatically couple the cars, which shall be simple in its construction, effective in its operation, strong, and durable.

Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the improved construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a carcoupling constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. 3 is a horizoutal section. Y

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate correspondingl` parts in all the figures, A represents the draw-head,which consists ot' an upper and a lower section, a a', and a mouth or passage, B.

The bars or strips b, composing the mouth or passage B, are supported at their rear ends, about midway the length of the draw-head, by an upright strip, c, which may be formed integral with the draw-head or not, as may be desired. Registering openings d are formed in the upper and lower sides of the d raw-head and in the upper and lower sides ot' the passage B, for the reception of a coupling-pin,c. The forward sides of the passage or opening B are preferably elose,in order that the couplingpin,when entering this passage, may not slip out of one side thereof, but will be guided and held in position. The upper and lower sides, b, are each provided with a longitudinal slot7 b', extending nearly their entire length.

Extending forwardly from the upright strip c, and located midway between the strips b,is a bar, cl, upon which is mounted a coil-spring, e. The forward end of this rod passes through a hole or opening in the rear endofa bracket or casting, (l. This bracket or casting is closed at its forward end, and has extending downwardly from its under rear side a lug, f,

which works in the longitudinal slot of the lower plate, b.

Extending upwardly through the longitudil nal slot of the upper plate, b, ils an extension, g, which bears upon the upper side of said plate. It will thus be seen that as the upper side of the bracket or casting bears against the under side of the upper plate, and as the extension of said bracket also bears upon the upper side of said bracket, all vertical movement of said bracket will be prevented and the same held in place; also, that by said extension passing through the slot ofthe upper plate, b, and the lug of said bracket titting in the lower slot, all lateral movement will be prevented.

F represents a plate, which is provided with a slot at its upper and lower end. Passing through said slots are the ends of the upper and lower side of the draw-head. Just in rear ofthe upright strip c is secured a similar strip or upright, l1..

G represents coil-springs,which are secured to the plate F at one end and to the upright or strip h at their other ends. These springs are mounted upon rods ,in order that any lateral displacement of the same which might otherwise occur may be prevented.

The operation is as follows: The bracket or casting is, when the cars are uncoupled, at the forward end of the draw-head, and the couplingpin rests upon the upper side of said bracket or casting. rlhe forward end of the link strikes against the forward end of the bracket and moves the same rearwardly, said bracket sliding upon the spring-pressed rod. The moment that the bracket has been pushed rearwardly so that it will uncover the registering openings before mentioned the coupling-pin drops and engages the same, and thus holds the link and couples the cars. The sliding bracket bears against the link, so that when the pin is raised said bracket covers the registering openings until it is again pressed rearwardly. As the plate F is fixed, the strain or draft is upon the coil-springs, which should be made ot' the best steel; but should the strain be too great it will stretch said springs, and thus bring the draft upon the plateF, which would remove any further strain from the same.

From the above description it Will be seen that a car-coupling Constructed in accordance with my invention is simple in its construetion, that its operation is certain and eective, and that it is strong and durable.

Having f ully described my inventionJvhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination,v with a draw-head having the passage B, the upper and lower sides of which are provided with slots, as shown, of a bracket sliding in said passage, said A bracket having the lug f and extension g to :dt said openings, a strip, c, a bar having a opening B, and constructed and operating as' set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. WOLFE.'

Witnesses:

DAVID A. WIANT, M. F. FLAHERTY. 

